This guide offers a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of leadership in Kwara State, Nigeria. It provides a complete list of the governors who have led the state since its formation in 1967, Including the political affiliations of each governor.
You will also learn about the first military and civilian governor of the state, plus their contributions to Kwara State’s development.
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Complete List Of Past And Current Governors Of Kwara State
Name | Began Tenure | Ended Tenure | Party |
|---|---|---|---|
David Bamigboye | 28 May 1967 | July 1975 | Military |
Ibrahim Taiwo | Jul 1975 | 13 Feb 1976 | Military |
Sunday Ifere | July 1978 | October 1979 | Military |
Adamu Atta | October 1979 | October 1983 | NPN |
Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo | October 1983 | December 1983 | UPN |
Salaudeen Latinwo | January 1984 | August 1985 | Military |
Mohammed Ndatsu Umaru | August 1985 | December 1987 | Military |
Ahmed Abdullahi | December 1987 | July 1988 | Military |
Ibrahim Alkali | July 1988 | December 1989 | Military |
Alwali Kazir | December 1989 | January 1992 | Military |
Shaaba Lafiaji | January 1992 | November 1993 | SDP |
Mustapha Ismail | 9 Dec 1993 | 14 Sep 1994 | Military |
Baba Adamu Iyam | 14 September 1994 | 22 August 1996 | Military |
Peter A.M. Ogar | 22 August 1996 | August 1998 | Military |
Rasheed Shekoni | August 1998 | 29 May 1999 | Military |
Mohammed Lawal | 29 May 1999 | 29 May 2003 | ANPP |
Bukola Saraki | 29 May 2003 | 29 May 2011 | PDP |
Abdulfatah Ahmed | 29 May 2011 | 29 May 2019 | PDP |
Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman | 29 May 2019 | Incumbent | APC |
Who Was The First Military Governor of Kwara State?
The first military governor of Kwara State was Brigadier General Femi David Bamigboye. He served from May 1967 to July 1975, following the state’s creation during the military regime of General Yakubu Gowon.
Born on December 7, 1940, in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria, Bamigboye hailed from the Igbomina ethnic group. During his tenure, Bamigboye initiated different developmental projects and policies aimed at improving the state’s infrastructure and social services.
He established the Kwara State Ministry of Education in 1968, which included a department to handle scholarship and bursary matters.
Besides, in 1971, he announced the building of the Kwara State Polytechnic, which officially began operations in 1972.
Bamigboye also opened new premises for the Ola-Olu Hospital in December 1972, providing accommodation for thirty-five beds.
Under his administration, Bamigboye prioritized the construction of essential infrastructure such as secretariats for civil servants, waterworks for drinking water provision, and roads including the Oyo Bypass Road (now Ibrahim Taiwo Road) in Ilorin.
He also focused on expanding educational opportunities by setting up government secondary schools and technical colleges across the state.
Again, Bamigboye laid the groundwork for healthcare delivery services by building general hospitals in major towns and healthcare centers in rural areas.
Beyond infrastructure and social services, Bamigboye facilitated the establishment of various state-owned enterprises to stimulate economic growth and development.
These included the Kwara State Printing and Publishing Corporation, Gateway Insurance Company, Kwara State Investment Corporation, Kwara Paper Converters, and Kwara Food Production Company, among others.
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Who was The First Civilian Governor In Kwara State?
The first civilian governor of Kwara State was Alhaji Adamu Atta. He held this position during the Second Republic, representing the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).
Atta, born on October 18, 1927, in Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria, belonged to the Indigenous peoples of Ebira land. His father, warrant chief Ibrahima Atta, had significant authority under the British Native Authority system.
Atta’s tenure as governor was seen by numerous achievements and initiatives aimed at developing Kwara State. He oversaw the construction of several major projects, including Kwara Hotels Phase II, specialist hospitals, the Secretariat Phase III (now the Governor’s office), and the Kwara Civil Service Clinic.
Additionally, he introduced the idea of establishing a community bank in 1981, which later led to the formation of Trade Bank Plc in 1987.
Before moving into politics, Atta pursued his education at Achimota School in Ghana and the University of Ibadan in Nigeria.
He worked as a civil servant before entering politics and ascending to the position of governor. Atta is remembered as a popular governor who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the people of Kwara State.
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Who Is The Current Governor Of Kwara State?
The current governor of Kwara State is AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq since May 29, 2019, after winning the governorship election.
AbdulRazaq was born on February 5, 1960, in Zaria, which was part of the Northern Region of British Nigeria and is now in Kaduna State, Nigeria.
He’s a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) political party. AbdulRazaq had a career in business before entering politics. He was the CEO of First Fuels Limited. However, his political career began in 1999 when Nigeria returned to democracy.
He contested unsuccessfully for the governorship election in Kwara State in 2003, 2007, and 2011 under the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) political party.
Yet, in 2019, he contested again under the APC and emerged victorious, winning the governorship election. In 2021, he introduced KwaraLEARN in basic education to empower teachers, and by May 2023, he declared the program one of his best policies ever.
AbdulRazaq’s leadership has also been recognized on a national level. On May 24, 2023, he was elected as the new Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, succeeding the former governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal.